Reykjavik planner sees no obstacle to new pond islands

A Reykjavik planning official sees no obstacle to granting permission for work to renew an island and add two more to Reykjavíkurtjörn, a shallow lake in central Reykjavik, mbl.is reports.

Litli hólmi, in the lake’s southwest corner near Ísbjarnarflöt, is in poor condition and is sinking into the water. The project would rebuild and enlarge it, while adding two islands nearby. The largest of the three would cover 200 square metres and the other two 100 square metres each.

The islands would rise no more than 70 centimetres above the water. Stone erosion protection is planned on their north-facing sides. The project also includes repairs to the lake’s banks and planting wetland vegetation in cooperation with the Reykjavik Botanical Garden. The plans were prepared by the design firm Landmótun.

The lake and Vatnsmýrin are within a protected neighbourhood area. The Natural History Institute and the Nature Conservation Agency said the project’s goal of improving habitats was positive, and that renewing and increasing the number of islands could strengthen nesting and resting places for birds. They said ecological goals should guide the design, disruption to existing wildlife should be limited, and work should finish before the breeding season. Disturbance to birds using the area in winter should also be kept to a minimum.

Litli hólmi was built in 1949 to encourage birdlife. A larger island in the lake was renovated in 2024 and 2025 after it had sunk, shrunk and deteriorated.